FC Barcelona: 10 Fastest Players in Barcelona History

Barcelona is a club known for its possession style of Tiki-Taka football. But many tend to forget that the club has featured some of the fastest players the game has ever seen.

Speed always has its place in football no matter what position a player occupies.

Throughout history, there have always been those players known for different types of speed. Whether it be sprinting ability or speed with the ball at one’s feet. Barcelona has enjoyed many players possessing these traits.

In this article we will attempt to rate the top 10 fastest players in the history of Barcelona based on sheer speed and also speed with the ball.

8 Dani Alves

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One name on our list that will not surprise is that of current defender Dani Alves.

The Brazilian right-back has been instrumental for the Catalans since joining Barcelona from Sevilla in 2008 (via fcbarcelona). His speed on the flank has given La Blaugrana cover against the counter attack in recent years.

But the speed that Alves shows in defense is also coupled with an offensive ability.Today fans are treated to a show when the Brazilian goes forward in attack. He uses great pace to beat defenders to cross into the box for teammates.

There have not been many in Barcelona history that could have caught Dani Alves, and for that he sits eighth on our list.

7 Ronaldo

Though Ronaldo Luiz Nazario only spend the 1996-1997 season at Barcelona, the Brazilian left a legacy wrought by speed and power (via fcbarcelona).

The 'original' Ronaldo took on many different roles in his career, but at Barcelona his speed was nearly unrivaled.

The Brazilian striker could be seen during almost any game outrunning defenders to a ball for a chance against the opposing keeper. And when Ronaldo had beaten the defense, you could count on him to score.

However, the great striker was not as quick with the ball at his feet and that sees him sit seventh on our lost of the fastest Barcelona players.

6 Alexis Sanchez

Though young Alexis Sanchez has not lived up to his potential since joining Barcelona, is is impossible to deny his speed on the pitch (via fcbarcelona).

The Chilean enjoys using his pace and quick feet to create distance between him and the defense. After creating space, Sanchez can use a number of quick moves to get into the box.

If the Chile international can find his true form at Barcelona he could certainly become great. His speed and pace has given La Blaugrana a new dynamic to the normally slow play the Catalans often use.

We must all wait to see what becomes of Alexis Sanchez at Barcelona, but his speed has yet to elude him in the Blaugrana shirt. Chile's first Barcelona player remains at sixth, for now.

5 Cristian Tello

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Cristian Tello is just breaking onto the Barcelona scene. The 21-year-old winger is still very much a raw player, but there is one thing that sets him apart from other competitors: his immense sprint speed.

Young Tello may very well be the fastest sprinter the club has had in the last decade or so.

The Catalan is solely a one-tool player at this point, but that single strength has seen him given a new contract recently (via fcbarcelona). Tello enjoys beating the defense with speed before making very quick cuts into the box.

The immense speed of Cristian Tello could eventually see the winger become a regular starter for Barcelona.

As for now, Tello has much room to improve and mature upon. But the future could eventually see Tello become the fastest player Barcelona has ever seen.

4 Ronaldinho

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Not only was Ronaldinho was on the fastest players to ever wear the Blaugrana shirt, he was also one of the most important figures in the history of the club.

The Brazilian attacker was known for doing things with the ball that very few could ever dream of. His quick feet gave him the ability to cut and sprint past any opposition as well as dazzle fans with amazing dribbling.

Ronaldinho had the ability to outrun most opponents, but it was his speed with the ball that made him one of the greatest players to ever compete.

Though Ronaldinho spent only five seasons in Catalonia, his legacy will live on (via fcbarcelona). The Brazilian will always be loved by fans, but he just misses out on our top three fastest Barcelona players.

2 Lionel Messi

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Not many can argue that Lionel Messi is one of the quickest players the world has ever seen.

Though Messi possesses great sprinting speed, his speed with the ball is second to none in the history of football. The Argentine has had countless trademark runs beating seven or more defenders from midfield in route to a goal.

The world is lucky to enjoy the amazing speed, pace and dribbling that Messi shows every game. But due to his sprint speed alone, Messi finishes second on our list.

However, the greatest player in history has plenty of time to change things. For now he will remain the fastest dribbler in Barcelona history.

1 Marc Overmars

Marc Overmars will be remembered as one of the fastest players the game has ever seen.

His time at Barcelona constantly showed his ability to sprint faster than anyone on the field which La Blaugrana enjoyed utilizing in their playing style.

Though Overmars was not nearly as fast as some others with the ball at his feet, he would lose to no one in a foot race. Playing in midfield or on the left-wing, Overmars pushed the tempo of every game.